Barbara Day Obituary

Barbara Bernadette Day, 90, of Rockport, Massachusetts passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024. She was born on November 14, 1933, to Maurice and Mary Jane (Schermerhorn) Downey. She grew up in Dorchester, Mass and went to St Gregory's High School.
Barbara was the second oldest of 10 children and greatly enjoyed helping her mother with the younger children. She worked in department stores including Filene's and for the City of Boston while growing up to help out at home. Barbara was always great with math and studied a number of courses in college including actuary science.
As a young woman, Barbara took a trip to Rockport, Massachusetts where she met the love of her life, John R Day. John also came from a large and loving family who quickly became an important part of her life. They married on June 29, 1957, and settled in Rockport, Mass. Once they started a family, Barbara left her job as a legal secretary in Boston.
While her four children were growing up, Barbara was very involved in the community. As a Sunday School teacher at St Joachim's Church, the students' chairs all pulled up to be close to her was a frequent sight. Barbara was also a Cub Scout Den Mother and tax assistance volunteer. She loved to read and when she saw the need for libraries in the Rockport elementary schools, she helped to establish them. She also was a home hospice worker on Cape Ann for a time.
Barbara may be best known for her lifelong love of children. She couldn't go anywhere without catching the eye and smile of a baby. She took her children and their friends on magical walks in the neighborhood where gnomes and other mythical creatures might be seen. Barbara was known for her special spot on the side of Front Beach, where she could watch the children climbing the rocks.
After her husband John passed away in 1992, her two grandsons were the loves of her life and gave her much joy. She often took care of them and was a very fun grandmother. The sight of her car as the boys came off the school bus was enough to get the boys running to the house with a big smile. Both grandsons consider their many summer visits with Barbara on the beach at Biddeford Pool, Maine to be some of their best childhood memories.
Barbara had a great love of travel and took many trips with family. She especially loved Aruba and Italy where she went multiple times. The family took frequent trips to the White Mountains of NH, instilling a lifelong love of mountains in all of her children and grandchildren.
Barbara was full of love for everyone and was always quietly there when needed. As her children's friends lost their parents, she was always there to be sure they felt loved. She was known for signing her social media comments with "Love, Mom" something greatly enjoyed by many. She will be greatly missed.
Barbara was predeceased by her beloved husband, John R Day; her siblings, Mary E. Brennan, Patricia J. Murphy, Eleanor Downey, Frances T. Downey, Daniel F. Downey, Catherine E. Haley, Julie T. Downey, Maurice P Downey Jr and Joseph J. Downey.
Barbara is survived by her four children and their spouses, John R. Day, Jr (Robert Groth) of Upton, Mass and Sugar Hill, NH, Lisa Day-Copeland (William Copeland) of Campton, NH, Christine Day (Andrew Chittick) of Tewksbury, Mass and James M. Day of Rockport, Mass; her grandchildren, Christopher W. Copeland of Somerville, Mass and David J. Copeland of Denver, CO., as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and dear brothers and sisters-in-law.
Visiting hours in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Joachim's Church on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 9 a.m. in Saint Joachim's Church, Broadway, Rockport. Burial will follow in Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959
For online condolences please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com
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